A.A.C., New York Section

New York Section. In 2010 the New York Section of the American Alpine Club continued its upward trajectory as new records were set in terms of membership count and number and variety of events, both indoors and outdoors. Starting with the latter, our Annual Outings to the Adirondacks draw sell-out crowds each and every January and June. Our favorite winter haunt is Adirondack Rock and River, in close proximity to the High Peaks Area near Lake Placid, and our early summer home for almost three decades is the historic Ausable Club in Keene Valley. Meanwhile we enjoyed slide presentations in the New York City area by Olaf Soot, Jeff Blumenfeld, Michael Lederer, and Mike Barker. In addition there were book signings by Majka Burhardt on Ethiopia, Graham Bowley on K-2, and Jennifer Jordan on the Dudley Wolfe/Fritz Wiessner K-2 mystery and controversy. We also partnered with the Nepal Mission to the UN to celebrate the launch of Nepal Tourisms 2011 year. Additionally we were invited to the grand opening in June of David Breashears’ Rivers of Ice exhibit at the Asia Society and Conrad Anker's film on the mystery of Mallory and Irvines disappearance. And, for the fourth consecutive year, we volunteered guides for the Rubin Museums very popular program, Peak Experience, a simulated climb of Everest and sleepover for kids 11-14 years old inside the Museum.

Our Annual Dinner, a mid-November black-tie benefit now in its 31st consecutive year at New York’s Union Club, undoubtedly attracts the most attention, out-of-town guests, and press coverage. Last year we undertook one of our most ambitious programs. We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the First Completion of the Seven Summits by Dick Bass, a long-time friend. It was also his 80th birthday. Besides Dick, presenters included some old friends and climbing partners including Dave Breashears and Phil Ershler. “Bo” Parfet, one of the many younger followers of Dicks historic accomplishment, completed the line-up. We also feted another significant birthday, that of Vic Benes, who had recently celebrated his 80th atop Forbidden Peak in the Cascades with partner Ron Bixby. At the other end of the age spectrum was guest Jordan Romero, who at 17 has only Vinson to climb to become the youngest Seven Summiteer of all time. Among the many attendees were seven successful Seven Summiteers from the Section who were presented with special plaques marking their achievement as well as Charles Irion, the author of the Seven Summits Murder Mystery Series.

None of the above would have been possible without the help of a large cadre of dedicated volunteers including Andrea Salerno, Howard Sebold, Jon Light, Mike Barker, Michael Lederer, Kaitlin Herlihy, Martin Torresquintero, Vic Benes, our previously mentioned slideshow presenters, and others.

A special thank you goes to our new webmaster, Conor Moran, who has created an instructive, attractive and very popular blog where members can post trip reports and photos, and where news of upcoming events are frequently posted and updated. If you want to know what’s happening in busy New York, look for a partner or whatever, log on to nysaac.blogspot.com.